Officers from the Ealing Council’s trading standards team carried out an inspection of a wholesaler in the Bridge Road area of Southall.

They found more than 750 hand-sanitisers products which did not comply with the law. The inspection was in response to enforcement intelligence received from another authority

The items seized had been allegedly imported and were being sold with no importer details, and some did not have any list of ingredients. Officers also found that some products were making claims that the seized hand-sanitisers could ‘kill germs and bacteria’.

The council is urging residents to be vigilant when purchasing such products, particularly at a time when people are working to protect themselves and others against the spread of COVID-19.

Any cosmetic products supplied in the UK must contain the importers details and list of ingredients in accordance with law. Products without this information should NOT be purchased as there is a good chance that they have not been tested and do not meet UK standards.

Cllr Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, cabinet member for community safety and inclusion said: "We urge members of the public to be vigilant when purchasing hand-sanitiser and similar products."

"It is a sad reality that unscrupulous traders are trying to exploit fears about COVID-19 to prey on vulnerable members of the public by selling hand-sanitiser which does not meet legal standards and therefore carries the risk of being ineffective."

"We are continuing to work hard to prevent members of the public from being scammed by rogue traders who want to capitalise on the current situation. We will prosecute anyone found selling these illegal items as part of our commitment to making Ealing safer."